Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Reid Boucher played for the Lansing Capitals midget major U-18 squad. In 64 games, he scored 79 goals with 41 assists and had 119 PMs. Boucher was selected by the Sarnia Sting in the 14th round (272nd overall) of the OHL Priority draft and by the Youngstown Phantoms in the fourth round of the USHL Futures Draft. He committed to playing college hockey at Michigan State in 2011-12.

2009-10: Boucher was selected for the US National Team Development program and spent the bulk of the season with U-17 squad; appearing in one U-18 game. In 24 USHL games with the NTDP team, he scored 10 goals with 4 assists with a minus-9 plus/minus and was assessed 22 PMs. In 41 non-USHL contests with the U-17 squad, he scored 17 goals with 13 assists and had 38 PMs. He also participated in the World Hockey Challenge U-17 tournament, scoring 2 goals with five assists in six games for Team USA.

2010-11: Boucher returned to Ann Arbor for his second season with the NTDP squad, competing in both the USHL games and with the U-18 club. In 24 USHL contests, he scored 14 goals with 6 assists and was a much-improved plus-6 and 13 PMs. In 57 total U-18 games, he scored 32 goals with 22 assists and recorded 35 PMs. Boucher’s 8 goals for Team USA at the World Junior Championship U-18 tournament were second only to Russia’s Nikita Kucherov (11) among tournament goal scorers and he also had 2 assists. Among his 8 goals were 3 game-winners, including a tie-breaking score with 21 seconds left in a 4-3 win over Russia. Boucher had a pair of goals in USA’s win over Canada in the semi-finals and then scored with 1:29 left in the gold medal game against Sweden to tie things up in another eventual 4-3 overtime USA win. Boucher was ranked 113 amongst North American skaters in Central Scouting’s final rankings and was selected by the Devils in the 4th round (99th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft and after the draft announced that he would forego college hockey and join the OHL’s Sarnia Sting in 2011-12.

2011-12: Boucher made his pro hockey debut – appearing in a late season AHL game with the Albany Devils – following his first OHL season with Sarnia. He was minus-1 with no points nor penalties in his brief stint with Albany. Boucher scored 28 goals in 67 games for Sarnia (second on the Sting to 2012 number one overall pick Nail Yakupov’s 31 goals) but was a team-worst minus-19 plus/minus. He had 22 assists with 19 penalty minutes. Sarnia finished second in the West Division and Boucher scored 2 goals with 1 assist and was even with 4 penalty minutes in the six-game playoff series with Saginaw.

2012-13: Boucher joined the Devils’ AHL affiliate in Albany at the end of March after skating for Sarnia and breaking the OHL club’s record for goals in a season. Boucher scored a goal and had two assists in his first game with Albany, a 5-4 shootout loss to Portland. He had 3 goals and 2 assists in 11 AHL games and was minus-1 with 6 penalty minutes. Albany missed the playoffs after finishing fourth in the Northeast Division. Boucher scored 62 goals for Sarnia, topping Steve Stamkos’ club record of 60 set in 2011-12, and had 33 assists. He was plus-13 with 53 penalty minutes in 67 OHL games. The Sting finished third in the West Division and were swept by Plymouth in a first round series. Boucher scored 2 goals, both on the power play, and had 3 assists in four playoff games; finishing minus-6 with 4 penalty minutes. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with New Jersey in March, 2013.

2013-14: Boucher made his NHL debut with the Devils in January, recording an assist in his first game against St. Louis, and appeared in 23 games for New Jersey in his first pro season. He scored 2 goals with 5 assists and was plus-2 with 4 penalty minutes; averaging 11:21 minutes of ice time. In 60 games for Devils AHL affiliate Albany, including four playoff games, he scored 23 goals with 16 assists and was minus-2 with 10 penalty minutes. Boucher scored seven power play goals for Albany.

Talent Analysis

Boucher has shown he is quite the capable scorer. His best asset remains his lightning-quick, accurate shot. He demonstrated his quick hands and vision and made the transition to the pros. Whether it's in-tight or from the outside, Boucher seems to find the quality scoring areas. Boucher was not intimidated battling against bigger opponents for loose pucks and did not shy away from contact. While he had made great strides to improve his skating, it is not up to par where it needs to be.

Future

Boucher attended training camp with the Devils before being assigned to AHL affiliate Albany to start the 2014-15 season. After a three-game stint with New Jersey late in October he was returned to Albany and was again re-called in early December. Still fighting to establish his spot in a veteran New Jersey lineup, he must continue to improve in all areas of the game if he is to stay in the NHL on a permanent basis. New Jersey traditionally has taken its time inserting younger players into the lineup and with Mike Camallieri joining the Devils he may have to skate in the AHL to see power play and top line minutes. Long-term he projects as a consistent scorer but his game is still a work in progress at this point.

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Photo: Damon Severson had 12 points in 32 games before being sidelined with an ankle injury. (Image courtesy of Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

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Photo: Defenseman Jon Merrill has dealt with injuries and inconsistencies in his sophomore NHL season. In 31 games, Merrill has two goals, seven assists, and a minus-10 rating. (courtesy of Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

It has not been a good season for the New Jersey Devils, as the team has fallen out of playoff contention and appears to be in transition. While the season may soon be lost, the team’s mindset now shifts to see the growth and development of their talented, young defensemen. There have been some growing pains along the way, along with some surprises earlier in the year, but the organization is giving the young players the responsibility, ice time, and patience needed to grow and become NHL players.

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Photo: Forward Reid Boucher is one of the more promising forwards in the New Jersey Devils prospect pool. Boucher started the 2014-15 season in the AHL, but should be among the first forwards recalled by the Devils in case of injury. (courtesy of Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

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